Propulsion unit



June 27, 1967 SCHWARZER 3,327,674

PROPULSION UNIT Filed Oct. 22, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l FREDSCHWARZEP.

ATTORNEY June 96 F. SCHWARZER PROPULSION UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 H JI 6 PO INVENTOR FRED SCHWAR'LE :2.

June 27, 1967 F. SCHWARZER PROPULSION UNIT 4Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR FRED Scuwmzzerz.

ATTORNEY June 27, 1967 F. SCHWARZER PROPULSION UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 mw m0 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,327,674 PRUFULEHQN UNIT Fred Schwarzer, 292 Mangers Mill Road, Pottstown, Pa. 19464 Filed Get. 22, 1955, Eer. No. 591,691 1 Claim. (Cl. 115-25) ABSTRACT 6F THE DESJLUSURE A propulsion device for flotation units using pedals, chain drive, and a pair of aslant paddle wheels selectively driven.

The present invention relates to a propulsion device, and more particularly to a propulsion device for use with a buoyant or inflatable member.

An object of the present invention is to provide a propelling mechanism or device which is an improvement over prior such devices, such as that shown in my Patent No. 3,148,656 and my pending patent application Ser. No. 383,752.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pool paddler which is in the form of a compact foot pedal operated propelling device for rubber rafts and other flotation units whereby such units can be maneuvered around swimming pools and seashore resorts as well as park lakes where outboard motors are forbidden to be used.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a paddle unit wherein the paddle wheels are arranged in a highly unique and efiicient manner.

A still further object of the present invention is to pro vide a paddle unit which is light in weight and which can be economically and easily assembled and installed on a flotation unit, and wherein the paddle unit of the present invention can be easily and readily removed and stored in a small space, the present invention including a novel means for adjusting or setting the depth of the paddle wheel unit, and wherein foot power is transmitted from the paddles to the drive shaft through a standard bicycle chain and spocket arrangement, and wherein a unique means for accomplishing steering of the present invention is provided.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a propulsion unit wherein the paddle wheels are arranged at an angle with relation to the frame of the unit, and wherein the paddle plates are arranged angularly with respect to the drive shaft so that backwash from the paddle wheels is prevented from interfering with the proper manipulation of the raft, and this arran ement also prevents water from splashing into the raft and this angular setting helps shorten the overall length of the mechanism.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described that can be made in various shapes and sizes to be used for civilian as well as military purposes, and wherein the device can be conveniently used by sportsmen and the like.

Still another object is to provide a device that is eco nomical to manufacture and eflicient in operation and is conducive to the most economical of materials and unitary of components formed therefrom.

Still further objects will be disclosed in the subsequent specification and claim.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view with part broken away and in section.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the device in folded position to facilitate carrying or storage thereof.

3,327,2 4 Patented June 2?, i967 FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken through the rails or units showing the means for clamping the chain to the raft or buoyant member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the clamping arrangement shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the rear clamping mechanism.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 30 indicates an inflatable raft or buoyant member which includes the horizontally disposed bottom portion 31 and a floor section 32 may be arranged contiguous to the upper surface of the bottom portion 31. The raft 30 is of conventional construction and includes a continuous hollow main body portion 33 that includes upper and lower arcuate sections 34 and 35 that have flange portions 36 which are suitably secured together, FIG. 9. The numeral 3'7 indicates a rear clamping mechanism which includes a horizontally disposed base or supporting piece 45 that is mounted in the rear of the raft 30, and the support piece 45 is suitably secured in place, as for example by means of securing elements 39. A stud 40 is connected to the piece 45, and the numeral 41 indicates an arcuate saddle which is adapted to be made of a suitable material such as a suitable metal and the saddles are of metallic construction as indicated by the numeral 42, while the undersurface is adapted to be made of a suitable material such as a rubber-like or resilient material as indicated by the numeral 43 in FIG. 1. The numeral 46 indicates the front portion of the raft 3t and the front portion 46 may be of somewhat less width than the rear portion thereof.

The base or support piece 4-5 which is suitably aflixed to the buoyant member 30 as at 39 is provided with the stud 40.

The numeral 47 indicates an elongated bar that is arranged in the raft 3t and the bar 47 is adapted to have a plate 38 afiixed to its rear end in any suitable manner as by means of securing elements 48, and the plate 38 is provided with a slot or recess 49 for selective engagement with the stud 40 as later described in this application. The bar 47 is provided with an elongated slot or recess 50, and the numeral 51 indicates a seat which is adapted to be adjustably mounted in any suitable manner as for example by means of a bolt and nut assembly 52, and a back rest is associated therewith, as shown in FIG. 2.

There is provided an upstanding post 54 which has its lower end engaging a fitting 55, and the fitting is adapted to be connected to floor 32 by means of securing elements 56, FIG. 2. The post 54 extends through a fitting or bushing 57 on the bar 47, and a securing element such as a set screw 58 is adapted to extend through the fitting 57 intto engagement with the post 54. The post 54 adds strength or stabilizes the propulsion unit of the present invention.

The numeral 59 indicates a bracket which is afiixed to the front end of the bar 47, and the bracket 59 includes a portion 60 that has a manually operable screw member 61 extending therethrough. A frame piece 62 has the bracket 59 pivotally connected thereto as at 63, and an upstanding plate member (.4 is affixed to the frame member 63 and the frame member 63 is adapted to be selectively engaged by the screw member 58 at 62 as shown in FIG. 2.

The numeral 65 indicates the framework or frame of the propulsion unit of the present invention, and as shown in the drawings the frame 65 includes a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed tubular members 66 which have their rear ends aflixed to the frame piece 62 in any suitable manner. The numeral 67 indicates a housing of a suitable hollow formation which is suitably afiixed to the front ends 66, and there is provided a pair of spaced parallel elements 68 which depend from the top of the housing 67 and are secured thereto in any suitable manner as by means of securing elements 69, FIG. 6. The numeral 70 indicates a drive shaft or first shaft which is rotatably supported in bearings 71 that are mounted in the arms 68. There is further provided a pair of suitable clutch members 72 which are operatively connected to the drive shaft 70, and these clutch members 72 may be of any suitable construction, and driven shafts 73 are operatively associated with the clutch members 72. As shown in FIG. 6 for example, the clutch members 72 include interengaging male and female arts 74 and 75, and a bearing 76 is adapted to be interposed between adjacent end portions of the shafts 70 and 73. The numeral 76 indicates a bearing assembly on the shaft 73, and there is further provided a coil spring or spring member 77 which is interposed between a gearing 78 and the hub portion 79 of the male part 74 of the clutch member for manually urging or biasing the male part 74 into frictional engagement with the female member 75 of the clutch. The male part 74 of the clutch has a slidable connection with the driven shaft 73 as indicated by the numeral 80. The gearing 80 is connected to the shaft 73 in any suitable manner, as for example by means of a securing element 81.

Yokes 82 have pins 83 that engage slotted portions 84 on the hubs 79 of the clutch male part 74 and sleeves 35 are aflixed to the housing 67 in any suitable manner. The pair of sleeves 85 are arranged at an angle with respect to each other as shown in FIG. 6.

Shafts 86 are rotatably mounted in the sleeves 85, and the shafts 86 have gears 87 connected to their inner ends as at 88, and the gears 87 are arranged in meshing engagement with the gears 78 on the shaft '73. The numeral 89 indicates each of a similar pair of paddle units which each include a hub 90, and each hub 90 has a plurality of radially disposed arms 91 suitably affixed thereto. The arms 91 are provided with flattened end portions 92, and there is provided a suitable securing element or bolt 94 which is adapted to be used for fastening the paddle units 89 to the rotating shafts 86.

Foot pedals 98 are provided for rotating a sprocket 99 that is mounted on a shaft or axle 100, and the shaft 100 is supported as at 99 by tubular members of the frame 65, FIG. 2. The pair of foot pedals 98 are adapted to be engaged by the foot of the operator.

The numeral 102 indicates an endless chain which is trained over the sprocket 99, and the chain 102 is also trained over the sprocket 97 on the shaft 70. The chain 102 is also arranged in engagement with idlers 103 and 104 which are suitably rotatably supported by the frame 65. The numeral 105 indicates a manually operable lever or stick shift steering member which has its lower end operatively connected to a horizontally disposed rod 107 by means of a connector 106, and the rod 107 is rotatably supported in portions such as the portions 64 and 108 of the frame 65. As shown in FIG. for example, the yokes 82 have the lower end portions of legs 109 suitably secured thereto, and the legs 109 are pivotally supported between lugs 1-11 by means of a pivot pin 110. Blocks 112 are suitably aflixed to the upper ends of the legs 109, FIG. 4, and rollers 113 are arranged in engagement with blocks 112, and an actuator 114 is suitably affixed to the rod 107.

There is provided a front clamping assembly which is indicated generally by the numeral 115, and the numeral 116 includes an arcuate saddle that has a strap 117 arranged transversely with respect thereto, FIG. 8. A pair of lugs 118 are suitably aiiixed to the strap 1 17 and the lugs 118 have recesses or openings 119 for engagement with securing elements 120 for a purpose to be later described.

The numeral 121 indicates a bumper that is afiixed to a bar 122 and the bar 122 is adapted to be pivotally connected to the frame or housing as at 123.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a propulsion unit which is an improvement over prior devices such as that shown in my prior Patent No. 3,148,656 as well as my patent application Ser. No. 383,782.

In use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the propulsion unit of the present invention which is indicated generally by the numeral 124 is adapted to be used with an inflatable or buoyant member such as the raft 30. The raft 30 is adapted to be of conventional construction and may be of the type that is inflated with 7 air to provide the hollow main body portion 33 as well as the bottom portion 31, and the floor section 32 may be arranged contiguous to the bottom portion 31, as shown in the drawings. When the propulsion unit of the present invention is not being used the propulsion unit 124 can be readily removed from the raft 30 and folded into a compact position such as that shown in FIG. 3. This compact arrangement is possible due to the unique construction of the present invention wherein the parts are pivotal-ly connected together as at 63 so that the member 59 with the bar 47 attached thereto can pivot to a position so that the device can be readily disassembled by loosening and removing the securing element 52. Similarly when the device is not being used the paddle units 8'9 can be readily removed by loosening and removing the bolts 94 so that the paddle units can be conveniently stored or carried. The members are adapted to be provided with keys 125 which snugly engage or fit into slots or grooves 126 in the hubs 90 of the paddle unit 89 so that the paddle units will be rotated in the desired manner when the foot pedals 98 are actuated by the operator of the propulsion unit of the present invention.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the steering device 165 can be pivoted to a position so that it is contiguous to the rod 107 due to the provision of the pivot mounting means associated with the element 106. Likewise, the bumper 121 with its supporting element 122 can be swung or moved to a compact position due to the provision of the pivot pin 123 so that the entire assembly will occupy a minimum amount of space for storage and shipment, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for example, when the propulsion unit is to be used, the rear clamping means 37 and the front clamping means 115 are adapted to be used for holding the propulsion unit in place on the raft 30. To assemble and mount the device on the raft, the element 59 is swung or pivoted in a clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 3 about an axis extending through the pivot pin 63 so that the bar 47 with its plate 38 will be arranged contiguous to and in engagement with the stud 46 on the support piece 45. The support piece 45 is adapted to be suitably secured to flange portion 36 of the raft 30 as at 39. The seat 51 and the back rest 53 are adapted to be connected in place to the bar 47 by means of the securing element 52, and due to the slot 50, it can be moved or adjusted and moved back and forth so that the user can sit comfortably on the seat in the desired location.

With the parts arranged as shown in FIG. 2, a person sitting on the seat 51 can conveniently and easily grip the steering lever and at the same time have his or her foot engage foot pedals 98 so as to be able to readily steer and drive or operate the present invention.

The front clamping means serves to detachably o releasably connect the frame 65 to the front portion 46 of the raft 30, and the rear clamping means 37 serves to. connect the rear portion of the propulsion unit to the rear portion 44- of the raft 30.

The post 54 is adapted to extend through the fitting 57 on the bar 47, and by loosening the set screw 58, the relative position between the bar 47 and the post 54 can be adjusted so that the seat and bar can be located at the proper elevation or location.

The manually operable screw member or knob 61 is adapted to be manually adjusted to control or regulate the depth that the paddle units 89 are arranged in the water. This is accomplished due to the fact that as the screw member 61 is manually adjusted it will cause the frame 62 to pivot, and with tubular members 66 of the frame 65 afiixed thereto, and the paddle units 89 being operatively connected to the front portions of the frame, the desired action will take place.

The following is given as an explanation of the method of driving and steering the propulsion unit:

By applying foot pressure to the pedals 98, it will be seen that the sprocket 99 will be rotated to move the chain 102, and the chain 102 is trained over the sprocket 97. It will be seen that this movement of the foot pedals 98 will result in rotation of the shaft 70. As long as the lever 105 is in neutral or intermediate position, both clutches 72 are in engaging position as shown in FIG. 6 so that with the shaft 70 being driven or rotated, the power will be transmitted through the female clutch part 75 to the male clutch part 74 due to the provision of the springs 77 which urge the male and female parts into engagement with each other and this will result in rotation of the gears 78, and because the gears 78 are in meshing engagement with the gears 87, it will be seen that this will result in rotation of the shafts 86 in the stationary sleeves or bushings 85. The shafts 86 have the pair of paddle units 89 connected thereto, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the pair of paddle units 89 are arranged at the front end of the raft Where the raft will be pulled through the water in the desired manner.

As previously stated, with the lever 105 in neutral position the application of foot pressure to the foot pedals 98 will cause the raft to move straightforward. In the event it is desired to turn the raft to the right or left, it is only necessary to manually move the lever 105 to the proper sideways direction, and this has the effect of disengaging one of the clutches 72 and permitting the other clutch 72 to continue to be able to supply power to the corresponding paddle unit 89. Thus, with one of the pad dle units feathered or not being driven While the other paddle unit 89 is being rotated, it will be seen that the raft will turn in the desired direction. Thus, the lever 105 can be moved either to the left or to the right to readily cause the raft to be steered or propelled in the desired direction.

It will be noted that as lever 105 is moved sideways to steer the raft, that the rod 107 will likewise be turned or rotated which causes corresponding movement of the rollers 113 on the actuator 114, whereby these rollers 113 will selectively engage or depress one of the blocks 112 to pivot a corresponding leg 109 about the pivot 110. As the leg 109 is moved or pivoted it causes the yoke 82 on the lower end of the leg 109 to move the male part 74 of the clutch 72 to compress the spring member 77, whereby the male part 74 will move out of engagement with the female part 75 so that a particular clutch will be disengaged whereby the desired turning movement can be readily accomplished.

It is to be understood that the parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes and sizes.

The bumper 121 is adapted to be arranged as shown in FIG. 1 when the device is being used so that the bumper will prevent the raft and propulsion unit of the present invention from bumping into the sides of a swimming pool or other structure whereby the parts will not be damaged and, in addition, the bumper will help prevent the device from accidentally bumping into a person in the water. When the bumper is not needed it can be readily moved into folded position, as shown in FIG. 3. The idler 104 may be of the type that can be adjusted to maintain the proper amount of tension on the chain 102.

Various accessories such as braces, bearings or the like may be used wherever desired or required. Also, the specific type of clutch that is used can be varied or changed as desired. The parts that engage the rubber raft 30 are adapted to be provided with a protective coating, and, for example, the surface 43 is fabricated of rubber or the like to prevent the metal 42 from rubbing against and tearing the rubber raft. The present invention is especially suitable for a pool paddler. The device is made so that it is not complicated to manufacture and, in addition, operation of the device as simple and efficient in all aspects thereof. The device can also be easily and readily mounted on a buoyant member such as the raft 30. While the raft 30 is illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to use for mounting on the buoyant member such as the raft 30, and the present invention can be used on or in conjunction with any type of buoyant member.

The pool paddler of the present invention is a compact and efficient foot pedal operated device for rubber rafts and flotation units and for use in maneuvering around swimming pools and seashore resorts as well as park lakes Where outboard motors are forbidden. The entire device is very light in weight. Depth setting of the paddle wheels 89 can be accomplished by turning the simple hand knob 61 while the raft is in operation or standing still. Foot power is transmitted from the pedals through a standard bicycle chain and sprocket arrangement. The two clutches 72 are alternately operated by means of a hand stick lever from the saddle position to serve as a steering control and drive shaft connector. It is to be noted that the paddle wheels are set on a 45 degree angle with relation to the frame of the unit. The paddle plates 93 are arranged at approximately 15 degrees with relation to the drive shaft. This arrangement prevents backwash from the paddle wheels interfering with proper manipulation of the raft and also eliminates or prevents water from splashing into the raft. The angular setting also helps to shorten the overall length of the mechanism.

The present invention can be built in suitable sizes and is especially efiicient when used by military and sporting personnel as well as being convenient to use for air and sea rescue operations.

The propulsion unit is adapted to be used with a raft such as the raft 30 as well as large inner tubes and plastic flotation units for healthy exercise in swimming pools and shallow water areas and the like. With the present invention very important improvements have been accomplished as compared to prior devices such as that shown in my previous Patent No. 3,148,656 and my pending patent application Ser. No. 383,752. There is provided the angular setting of the paddle wheels which not only overcomes the backwash but also prevents water from splashing into the raft. The unit is light in weight and weights only approximately 25 pounds and can be stored in a very small area and, in addition, the device can be installed on a rubber raft in a very short period of time. In addition, only one standard /2" 60 chain 102 is required to transfer the power from the pedals to the drive shaft. The propulsion unit of the present invention fits into a one-man rubber raft and responds readily to stick operated clutches in both directions so as to permit the raft to be turned completely in its own length. The entire unit can be mass produced to sell for approximately the price of a standard bicycle. For larger rafts a more positive clutch mechanism can be used.

The housing 67 can be made integral with or fixedly secured to the frame in any suitable manner. The paddle units 89 actually pull the boat forward as power is applied to the foot pedals 98.

Some of the important aspects of the present invention are as follows:

A single standard bicycle chain is used to transfer power to the paddle units. Also, the present invention overcomes the back pressure against the raft, and the present invention can be used on buoyant inner tubes, plastic flotation units or the like although it is especially suitable for use on a rubber raft or plastic raft. The clutches are operated as at 105 to give right or left hand operation or complete turning of the raft in its own length. Various expansion or friction clutches or the like may be used. The paddle elements or units can be made out of a suitable material and of a size to fit the diameter of the drive shaft. Furthermore, it is only necessary to remove a single screw member, such as the screw member 94 to permit quick and easy removal of the units 89. Also die cast gears can be used if desired or required. Thrust bearings are adapted to be used to take care of the thrust. The present invention is compact and is very convenient to use in swimming pools and the like and, in addition, has a unique frame structure as well as the angle setting of the paddle unit to help overcome splashing. The standard bicycle chain and sprocket arrangement supplies power to the drive shaft in unison or to drive each separately. The steering means actuated by the single shaft stick is unique for accomplishing the desired purposes.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claim so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

What is claimed is:

A propulsion unit for an inflatable raft of the type that includes a horizontally disposed bottom portion having a floor section contiguous thereto, a hollow main body portion which is circular in cross section, a rear clamping means including a horizontally disposed brace mounted in the rear of the raft and affixed thereto, a stud on said brace, an arcuate saddle surrounding the upper portion of the raft, a bar having a plate on its rear end provided with a recess for said stud, said bar having a slot therein, a seat adjustably mounted above said bar by means of a securing element extending through said slot, aback rest associated with said seat, a post having its lower end connected to said floor section, and said post extending through the fitting on said bar which has a securing element associated therewith, a bracket affixed to the front end of said bar, said bracket including a portion having a manually operable screw member extending therethrough, a frame piece having said bracket pivotally connected thereto, an upstanding plate affixed to said frame piece and adapted to be selectively engaged by said screw member, a frame including a pair of spaced apart tubular members having their rear ends afiixed to said frame piece, a housing at the front of the tubular members, a drive shaft in said housing, a pair of clutch members connected to said drive shafts, driven shafts operatively connected to said clutch members, yokes having pins engaging portions of the clutch members, sleeves affixed-to said housing, shafts rotatably mounted in said sleeves, intermeshing gears on said last name shafts and said driven shafts, a pair of paddle units operatively connected to the shafts in the sleeves, said paddle units including plates, and said paddle units being arranged forwardly of the raft, a sprocket on the drive shaft, foot pedal operating means having a chain arranged in engagement therewith, and said chain also engaging the sprocket on the drive shaft, a rod having a manually movable lever connected thereto, an actuator operatively connected to the front of the said rod and having rollers thereon for selectively moving members that are operatively connected to the clutches, and a pivotally mounted bumper arranged forwardly of the paddle units.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,557,990 10/1925 Doty 1l549 2,674,971 4/ 4 Therrien 1l550 3,148,656 9/1964 Schwarzer ll5-25 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner. 

